Elton John song for Diana - the biggest single ever

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, October 22, 1997

LONDON - Just 37 days after its release, "Candle in the Wind '97" - Elton John's tribute to Princess Diana - has been declared the world's biggest-selling single recording.

The Guinness Book of Records said Tuesday that nearly 31.8 million copies of the record had been shipped around the world, overtaking Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," which has sold an estimated 30 million copies worldwide since its release 55 years ago.

In the days after Diana's Aug. 31 death, John and lyricist Bernie Taupin rewrote their 1970s song, originally dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, to perform at Diana's funeral.

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The artists' royalties, Mercury Records' slice of the profits, most of the retailers' share and even the value-added tax will go to the fund set up to benefit the charities Diana worked for.

Meanwhile, it was announced that a memorial album by some of the biggest names in music will go on sale in Britain on Dec. 1 and in the United Stats on Dec. 2 to raise money for her favorite charities.